POTTSVILLE - Tri State Truss Company, owned by Ricky Freeman, may soon be building two 10,000 square-foot buildings on Highway 64 in Pottsville.

The Pottsville City Council voted to transfer money, left over from other projects, to help bring the prospective building sites up to fire code. The site needs 2,200 feet of water lines and about three water hydrants, Fire Chief Vernon Lawhorn said.

The expense of attaching to existing lines and upgrading the lines to six inches would be compounded by having to cross the highway to connect to Pottsville's closest water line, which is in front of Fleet Tire and Retread, Inc.

"We need a 6-inch line to maintain that fire flow," Lawhorn said. "The expensive part is running it through the highway."

Several members suggested requesting help from Atkins, but Mayor Jerry Duvall said he doubted Atkins would allow its water lines to be used.

"I'd like to help him (Freeman) as much as possible," Duvall said, adding Freeman would like to begin construction immediately. The buildings would store lumber and manufacture trusses. Freeman was not at Monday night's meeting.

Members voted unanimously to move $5,000 and $10,000 of unallocated funds to be transferred by the state trust.

The truss company is expected to bring revenue into Pottsville. Money for the water lines will be recouped when the business opens, Duvall said.

Tri State Company will request a zoning change from commercial to light industry Oct. 3 at the Regulatory Commission meeting.

In other news, Chief of Police Blake Herren will attend an interrogation seminar Oct. 2-3 in Mississippi. Alderman Donny Elliott expressed concern for the police department's gas expenditures, but the discussion was tabled until next month.

The council also voted to levy a zero-mill tax on real estate and personal property.